Today we’d like to introduce you to J.R. Fennell.
Hi J.R., thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in the small rural town of Walterboro, SC. I’ve always had a love of history. I was surrounded by it growing up in the Lowcountry. My summers as a child were spent in libraries reading stories of the past and biographies. I loved learning and sharing that knowledge with others. After graduating high school, I became the first person in my family to go to a four-year university. I quickly decided that history would be my major. I was unsure of what I wanted to do for a living but felt called to study the past.
As graduation got closer and closer, I investigated my options and decided that working in a museum would allow me to accomplish my desire to learn and share what I’ve learned without being in a classroom. I applied to the Public History program at the University of SC and was accepted. After graduation, I began applying for jobs. Luckily enough, at the same time, the director of the Lexington County Museum decided to retire after thirty-three years on the job. I applied to take his place and was hired.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It wasn’t always smooth. I had to earn scholarships and receive Pell Grants to afford college.
I also was not able to acquire all the experience I wanted due to needing to earn money during the summer. I could not afford to volunteer at museums/historic sites/etc. Once hired, I faced some pushback due to my age. I began as director of the museum at age 24.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Lexington County Museum is a small local history museum that interprets the history of Lexington County and the Dutch Fork area of SC during the colonial and antebellum periods.
We do this through historic structures that demonstrate what life was like during the 18th and 19th centuries for all residents of Lexington County and the Dutch Fork. We are very proud of our historic outbuildings that reveal what it was like to live on a farm or plantation. These outbuildings are very different from what we have today. They also help tell the story of the enslaved here in Lexington County as well.
The main structure on our property was owned by a man who enslaved 52 people in 1860. The artifacts and buildings in our collections help us reveal what life was like for those who often go nameless. I am most proud of some of the events that we put on, including the Murders and Mysteries tours. These tours, held in Lexington, West Columbia, and Irmo assist us in telling the history of the respective communities.
They shine a light on historic structures that survive and hopefully allow attendees to realize the importance of protecting historic structures. The stories we share on these tours also reveal that our ancestors should not be put on pedestals as they were just like us.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People are welcome to tour our site, attend one of our events, or donate to the non-profit created to help us fully fund the museum, the Friends of the Lexington County Museum.
We also are always looking for donations from the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum is also looking to compile histories, especially from African-American residents of Lexington County.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://lexingtoncountymuseum.org/
